% Jfast implies n Jiitg. 



m. CHAKLES S. POETEl 



% Jfast implies k §\i\\i 



SERMON, 



Preached April 30, 1863, 



NATIONAL FAST DAY, 



AECH STEEET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 



REV. CHARLES S. PORTER. 



PHILADELPHIA: 

C. SHERMAN, S N & CO., P R I N T E 11 S. 

1863. 



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\ 



Q COllliESPONDENCE. 



Philadelphia, April 30, 1863. 

Eev. Charles S. Porter. 

Dear Sir : We have listened with profound attention, de- 
light, and profit, to 3'our most admirable discourse of this 
morning, and, constrained by a desire to perpetuate the 
pleasing memory of your brief and highly instructive ministrj- 
in our midst, as well as to benefit our friends and other mem- 
bers of this community, we respectfully ask that you will 
furnish us a copj- for publication. 

Yours, with considerations of high Christian esteem, 

Samuel Agnew, 
Howell Evans, 
Thomas Earp, 
William Collins, 
M. Magee, 

William T. Snodgrass, 
Edwin Morey, 
H. M. Lewis, 

O. E. DUNKLE. 

Messrs. Agnew and others. 

Gentlemen : Your favor of the oOth ult. has been received. 
I cheerfully accede to 3'our request. Our country's cause 
ennobles the humblest effort in her behalf! 

Respectful I3' yours, 

Charles S. Porter. 

Philadeli-hia, May 2tl, 1863. 



DISCOURSE. 



1 CHRON. 19 : 13. 

" Be op good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for 
OUR people, and for the cities of our God, and lf.t the Lord do 

THAT WHICH 13 GOOD IN HiS SIGHT." 

A FAST implies a duty. " Is not this the flist that I 
have chosen, to loose the bands of wickedness, to nndo 
the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, 
and that ye break every yoke V 

The day we now observe, according to appointment 
by the President of these United States^ has been set 
apart for fasting, humiliation, and prayer. There is a 
reason for the appointment. The duty specified de- 
notes an exigency. Abstinence from lawful indul- 
gences is required for a reason. Humiliation is de- 
manded for a reason. Prayer is offered for a reason. 
Each and all are for the same i:eason or reasons. 

A private fast is observed for some reason of a per- 
sonal nature. A fast by a Church or a State is for 
some reasons of a local character. A National fast is 



G 

for reasons of a National character. These reasons may 
l)e those of a physical, civil, or religious nature, ac- 
cording to circumstances, and may all be combined in 
a cfiven case. The individual has relations to the 
State, the State to the General Government, and each 
and all to God. 

Moreover, the secular, civil, and moral in individuals 
or the State, have mutual relations and obligations. 
Wealth or capital is an element of indi^•idual, State, 
and National power. So also are intelligence, princi- 
ple, and virtue. Tlie Commonwealth provides for the 
education of the young, not for their sake only, but 
also for its own. Mind is its most valuable capital. 
Mind sanctified is its greatest strength and glory. 
Every way, the better it is with the individual, the 
better it is with the State ; the better it is with the 
State, the better is it for private interests, liehgious 
prosperity promotes the civil ; civil prosperity is the 
ally of m(n-al and religious progress. For nations as 
for individuals, it is life " to fear God and keep His 
commandments." Hence the individual sliould be 
mindful of the interests of the State ; the State should 
care for the individual. All sliould be reverent towards 
God, that God may be gracious to all. 

In no civil condition is this more true or important 
than in a republic, where th(^ people make their own 
laws and elect their own rulers. The government they 
institute nuist be a transcript of themselves. If they 
are high-miuded and noble, so will be the government ; 



if base and corrupt, there will be little else than an- 
archy. 

The present National fast implies, that somehow 
things are not right with ns, and that it is our duty, so 
far as is possible, to set them right. Then of course 

A FAST IMPLIES A DUTY. 

What then befits National circumstances 1 The day 
and hour, what do these indicate as our duty '? 

1. To consider our National position and condition 
in relation to God. 

We are to act. Let us do it intelligently. Fasting 
implies consideration, as we seek therein an end. 
Humiliation implies consideration, as it is for a reason. 
Prayer implies consideration, because it is an appeal to 
God for His mercy and help. 

Our history is the legible and wonderful handwriting 
of God. Our elements of possible success and great- 
ness are His gifts. It becomes us, therefore, to be 
cognizant of His will, that we may give Him the glory 
due to His name. 

What a history is ours ! Its commencement was like 
the glimmer of a star on the bosom of night ; its pro- 
gress, the beamings of noontide effulgence. Your 
beautiful and opulent city is a memorable point in the 
course of our political existence. It embosoms memen- 
toes of our earliest National being. It is itself a noble 
illustration of our prosperity and greatness. How 



8 

could it liavc become what it is, in population and 
prosperity, in present and prospective greatness, had 
not the Nation become by God's favor, a great and 
prosperous people ! And how could we have been the 
people we arc, in men and means for the present awful 
civil conflict, had we not been favored of Heaven as 
were never any other people ! 

God in America's history is the grandest, most im- 
portant conceivable thought, for the day. It should im- 
press the millions of our land to-day, as if in their 
hearing the seven thunders of the Apocalypse had 
uttered their voices. The God of Israel, of the whole 
earth, has reserved this grand historical handwriting 
for these last times, and in the annals of the American 
people. It constitutes one of the loudest calls, one of 
the mightiest incentives to zeal and faithfulness in 
duty to ourselves, humanity, and God. How could 
we worthily observe this day, and not remember some- 
thing of all this ^ 

For if, wliat we have been, and are, we owe to 
the favor of Heaven, it befits us to-day especially to 
inquire, whether we have been profoundly reverent, or 
wantonly recreant in respect to God. 

According to its ji;st claims, lias Divine revelation 
been generally enthroned in tlie intelligent convictions 
of the ]ieople \ Have \\v. practically confessed our ob- 
ligations to God for His lioly word! How, as the out- 
wuril expression of our convictions and inward reli- 
gious life, have we honored Divine institutions 1 Have 



9 

we remembered His Sabbaths, and reverenced His sanc- 
tuary 1 Have we honored civil government, both as a 
necessity and a Divine appointment '? "The powers 
that be are ordained of God." 

"We have rallied in times past for the better observ- 
ance and perpetuation of the Lord's day, as the grand 
charter of our civil heritage, the palladium of our 
liberty and free institutions. We could not have be- 
come what we are, we cannot long retain our present 
position, without it. We were infinitely less guilty 
before God to-day, had we as a people duly honored 
His Sabbaths. 

We have rallied in times past for the honor of our 
sanctuaries, and the promotion of public religious wor- 
sliip, as great moral centres of light, truth, order, mo- 
rality, and religion. It had been better with us, we 
should have far less occasion for National humiliation, 
had we made the house of God more a presence, power, 
and pillar in our social and civil structure. 

We have rallied in times past, and we now rally 
again, with all the energies of a free people, for the de- 
fence and protection of civil government against aggres- 
sive disloyalty, against the foulest treason ever recorded 
or unrecorded since man was upon the earth ! We 
should have far less occasion to humble ourselves to-day, 
had we cherished and honored our Constitution and 
Laws, as we were bound to do by every consideration 
of obligation, gratitude, patriotism, and piety. 

The temporary hush of human affairs this day is or- 



10 

daincd, that wo may consider this, something at least 
of all this, witli reference to our immediate and remote 
fntnre. 

lor here, it is our duty to be strong and of good 
courage ; to stand for the right in the name and strength 
of God ; to assert and maintain a conscious rectitude 
in his sight. Otherwise we fost in vain. In vain 
humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God. In 
vain pray that He will lift us up. Our sins, like that 
of Achan's in the camp of Israel, will effectually bar our 
present deliverance and future prosperity. The resur- 
rection to-day of a general and deep National convic- 
tion that we are right with God, that our hope and 
help is in Him alone, would be to us in present circum- 
stances like compassing horses of fire and chariots of 
fire to the cleared vision of Elisha's servant. It would 
be the voice of God to rulers and people, army and 
navy : " Be of good cheer ; I will help thee, I will 
strengthen thee by the right hand of my righteousness." 
It would give light and joy in counsel, union, efficiency 
and success in action. It would pour the light of 
seven days upon the portentous darlvuess of our civil 
night. It would multiply a thousand fold the forces of 
victorious war. 

The advantage to be seciu'ed by this day of humi- 
liati(jn and prayer is with the consciences of the 
pcojjle, that purged of guilt, and with this needful 
preparation for the reception of His favor, we may have 
confidence toward God, and be assured of Divine help 
and fa\or. 



11 

I have dwelt purposely upon this pomt, our posi- 
tion and condition in relation to God, because it is the 
appropriate duty of this day, and vital to its proper 
and successful observance. It is no small matter tliat 
we have in hand. We liave abundant occasion to be 
profoundly humble and truly penitent in the sight of 
God. We have sinned ; we have done wickedly. From 
the days of our fathers we liave gone away backward. 
We have been unmindful of the Rock of our benefits. 
Our sins testify against us. Our backslidings reprove 
us. Let us know, therefore, and consider that it is an 
evil and bitter thing to have thus departed from God. 
Our condition, like the trump of God, calls us to con- 
sider our ways. O ! that even now to-day as a nation 
we might offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put 
our trust in the Lord ! God ! grant us repentance 
and remission of sins. 

2. To stand by our Government. Our first duty is 
to stand by the throne of God ; the next, by the flag 
of our country. If we are a Christian, we must, we 
shall be a patriotic people. A true Christian must be, 
is, the best ruler and subject, citizen and soldier. A 
voice from the tomb of a clergyman* in your city cries 
in our ears : " God and my country." Let the minis- 
try, let the church, in every branch, of all denomina- 
tions, from Maine to California, from the frozen North 
to the torrid South, echo that cry, "• God and my coun- 

* Rev. George DulHeld, Pastor Pine Street Presljyterian Church ; died 
A. D. 171)0. 



12 

try !" Let it be the watchword in all our National and 
State councils. The battle-cry with our armed and 
marshalled hosts in conflict w^ith treason. Let all the 
youth in the land, from our primary schools to the 
walls and halls of our universities, wake in thunder- 
tones the shout, " God and my country !" Let treason 
all over the land hear it and tremble. Let the nations 
hear it, and know for once that we cannot be bought ; 
that we will not be sold ; that we cannot be conquered 
by the forces, or terrified by the thundering batteries of 
the world ! Let all know that under God we have but 
one aim, purpose, and prayer, to live or die a free, united, 
and independent republic. 

Let it be known, everywhere and forevermore, that 
WT have sworn by the blood of our fathers, and by the 
blood of our sons, that we will stand by our flag as it 
streams amid the smoke and shock of battle, or in the 
glorious sunshine of peace! 

Let it be known that the sum and burden of our 
cradle-hymns, in all generations to come, shall herald 
the tread of millions yet unborn, with banners inscribed, 
" God and our country !" They must, they will be 
taught and inspired to say, " If we forget thee, our 
country, let our right hands forget their cunning." 
" Tf w(^ do not remember thee, let our tongues cleave 
to the roofs of our mouths." 

And why"? Because our civil government is an 
appointment of God. Because it is a child born of the 
ages in their progressive developments. Because it is 



13 

the noblest civil heritage ever bequeathed to men. 
Because it embodies the germs of peaceful and advan- 
tageous revolution in the despotic governments of earth, 
civil and ecclesiastical, and contains more that concerns 
humanity and religion than was ever before committed 
to the keeping of any people under heaven. 

By the force of our convictions that we should 
this day humble ourselves before God, we should and 
do feel and confess it our duty to stand by our Govern- 
ment in this eventful crisis of our history, cheerfully 
laying all we have, our treasures, our sons, ourselves, on 
the altar for her service and defence through all time. 

For what should we, with united hearts and voices, 
supplicate and implore High Heaven to-day, if not for 
our country, for a united North, for wisdom for our 
National and State councils, and for success for our 
arms, till treason dies in its strongholds, or flies the 
face of intelligent and devout loyalty, as night flies the 
day! 

We must conquer or be conquered. Terms of peace 
with our foes would embrace the surrender of all we 
hold most dear, of liberty and prosperity at home, of 
respect and confidence abroad. We cannot, we will 
not, consent to be the vassals of a government whose 
avowed corner-stone is property in man, and from 
which must ever be ascending cries to Heaven: "How 
long, O Lord ! holy, just and true, dost thou not avenge 
our blood on them that dwell on the face of the earth !" 

How could we consent to have the future millions 



14 

of this coiitinont walk upon the confines of such a 
volcano, ever ready to burst forth in wrath and flame, 
and bury all in just and eternal oblivion? 

Better, a thousand times better, to die now, standing 
by our flag, worthy of ourselves, of our heroic, self- 
sacrificing ancestry, matchless defenders of our blood- 
bought heritage. 

We are by the force of circumstances put at school, 
by exigencies that command us, to know ourselves and 
God, that constrain humiliation and prayer. Our pre- 
sent baptism of blood teaches us to recognize and 
vindicate a Government that embodies justice as well 
as mercy ; retribution for its enemies no less than pro- 
tection for its friends ; is armed with the thunders of a 
loyal people against traitors, while it spreads its ban- 
ners of love over the law-abiding. 

It is born of that Government, constructed by a 
Divine hand that embodies goodness and severity. 
Justice and judgment are the foundation of that throne, 
compassed with the rainbow of love. 

We have listened to arguments for peace, until we 
have forgotten tliat the sword is somt^times needful as 
a pacificator ; a terror to evil-doers ; not borne by our 
National magistracy in vain. 

We have listened to pseudo-philanthropy in its tirades 
against capital punishment, until the public sentiment 
is wofully demoralized. Many are clamorous for a truce, 
wlicn the sword of treason is at our throats, and the 
tramp of iuMiding hosts is to the music of clanking 



15 

chains, forged for us and our children. Our most 
dangerous foes are they of our own household. 

A no-government theorist once addressed the late 
John Quincy Adams upon the advantage, in these days 
of enlightened progress, of dispensing with the show 
of law, fines, prison-walls, and the gallows. " Beautiful ! 
beautiful !" replied the venerable statesman, " but," he 
added, " I am afraid that we are not quite ready for 
that yet," How ready we are, let the stirring and 
atrocious events of our times say. 

A worthy New England Governor, while foremost in 
arming and forwarding soldiers for the country's defence, 
submitted to his Legislature the propriety of abolishing 
the statute for capital punishment. Wholesale execu- 
tion of felons is justifiable, but we may not defend the 
private walks of social life against the murderer ! When 
did the Divine mandate become obsolete 1 When was 
it annidled 1 " Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man 
shall his blood be shed." Let us to-day intensify our 
love of country, by an increase of zeal for the faithful 
and equitable administration of her laws. 

Let us seek the interests of humanity and religion in 
God's way, by making justice the shield and safeguard 
of love. Let us be the dupes of no Utopian theories, 
but as does God, let us magnify and establish law, by 
making mercy consistent therewith. In God's name, 
let us be just, that we may be merciful. liCt the people 
be educated in a profound reverence for law, that Ave 
may the more eff'ectually promote the grand designs of 



16 

the Gospel. Let us to a man stand by the Government 
in this dark hour of treason's usurpation, that we may 
the sooner welcome the triumphant and permanent 
reign of loyalty and peace. 

"What if \\'c did not frame our Constitution 1 It con- 
stitutes the framework of our Government, under which 
we have so wonderfully prospered, 

AVhat if our votes did not elect the present National 
Executive'? They are nevertheless our rulers by the 
will of the majority. Our interests and those of our 
children are embarked in this, our ship of state. If it 
gallantly rides the waves, successfully buffets the storms, 
we and they live. If it founders, we all go down 
together, and with us will perish the brightest hopes 
of universal man. 

AMiat if there are imperfections and infelicities in 
our republican government and its administration, are 
we sure there are none elsewhere '? 

The present is no time for reconstruction and reorga- 
nization. The duty of the hour is indicated by its peril. 
It is no time to reconstruct our forts when the assault 
of tlie foe has commenced. 

The past is now comparatively of no moment. The 
future is not an aj)preciable quantity. Have we the 
virtue and the valor to say now, by Heaven's help, 
we liave been, and we will be, the freest, noblest Go- 
vernment on the face of the earth. We will defend 
and transmit our glorious bloodbought heritage to our 



17 

children. Humanity and Christianity bid us stand by 
our Government. 

Let us be true men, at all hazards. Let the spirit 
of '76 preside in the duties and events of the times. 
Let us set ourselves right with God, that we may suc- 
cessfully assert the right for man. 

Let us stand by our Government, or recall our army 
and navy. Let us stand by our Government, or in- 
scribe upon our soldiers' graves, " Life foolishly sacri- 
ficed ;" " Died by the just visitation of God, for 
attempting to storm the citadels of treason, at their 
country's call." Let us stand by our Government, or 
ask the monarchies of the world to take us into their 
keeping as a dependent colony, — the mother country 
to give us a king ! 

No ! Let us stand by our Flag, and, high above 
thrones, let us solve the problem, " Have a free and 
intelligent people the capacity and right to govern 
themselves, and by the inherent force of principle and 
valor, ride upon the high places of the earth 1" My 
hope is, that our mission of light and love to the 
nations of the earth is but just begun. To my vision, 
there seems just before us a glorious future, — the 
dawn of the promised millennial day. 

3. To withstand and forestall the demoralizing influ- 
ences of war. Depraved human nature is a mighty 
magazine of combustible and explosive material, which 
the torch of the incendiary lights with issues, like 

2 



18 

" the crack of doom !" Civil and moral restraints con- 
stitute our only safeguard against an outbreak that 
shall make and leave society a heap of ruins. 

War unchains and infuriates the worst passions of 
our natures. Lust becomes rampant. Violence enacts 
and multiplies enormities. We see, in the wild com- 
motion that lifts the mask, or blows aside the flimsy 
covering, what man is. So the agitated sea confesses 
what, in a calm, lay hid in tranquil depths below. 

The charge of corruption rings out on every hand. 
Offices are bought and sold. Official favors are 
granted for a consideration. Elections hinge upon 
some hobby as a party watchword, and zeal is fired by 
anticipation of the " spoils." Patronage is the driving- 
wheel of political machinery. Still we are essentially 
no more corrupt than we have been. Human nature 
is an old institution. War, more than anything else, 
unearths the monster. 

Generals organize and handle armies with an eye to 
the White House. Whyl A nation at war must liave 
a military chieftain at the helm ! 

Contractors and commissioners for army supplies 
conspire to defraud the Government and enrich them- 
selves. The soldier and sailor serve for a pittance, and 
that not always promptly paid. He is sometimes 
robbed of the gifts of friends, or buys for the relief of 
his necessities, at a high price, what love had before 
forwunU'd as a iiicineiito of affection from home. 

And in our domestic troubles, monarchies, jealous of 



19 

our growing numbers and power, growl at us from 
amid palaces, towers, and battlements. Alas, for us ! 
It is the hour and pow'er of darkness. It is the time 
of our visitation, — a revelation-day of Almighty God, 
the mirror in Avhich we may see ourselves as He 
sees us ! 

" From whence come wars and fightings among 
you'? Come they not even of your lusts, that war in 
your members ? Ye lust, and have not. Ye kill, and 
desire to have, but cannot obtain." 

War helps our conceptions of the true character 
of man. We see what enemies, by wicked works, 
God loved, and sent his Son to succor and to save. 
That the Nimrods, Ahabs, Judases and Jezebels of 
other days left a numerous posterity. 

We are not surprised at the discovery. AVe knew 
the Devil was not dead, — is not without children now, 
more than in the time of Christ. We know that war 
gives large dividends to the capital of hell. That 
chaplains, Christian Commissions, and good men in the 
army, cannot wholly, but only partially save the land 
from the immoralities of the camp ; and a flood-tide of 
iniquity will soon be upon us, as one of its dire results. 

What then'? Shall we despond'? Shall we despair"? 
Never! By the help of God, Never! Was not the 
Gospel constructed in the wisdom of God, to cope 
with this enginery of sin and helU Has it not slain a 
vast amount of enmity to God and man X Is it not still 
mighty, through God, to the pulling down of strong- 



20 

holds 1 Is not the promised effusion of the Spirit for 
these last days 1 

What, then, is our dut)^ in the midst of these pre- 
sent and prospective unsightly and awful developments ? 
What I if not to engage in a war of the Lord at home, 
with heavenly armor and corresponding zeal, go forth 
to meet these giant progenies. 

The ministry must be armed with Heaven's batteries 
of truth and love, and ply them with the utmost force 
of position and utterance. The Church must arouse 
herself from her slumbers and take the field, — spend 
her strength upon the enemy, and not in foolish and 
hurtful raids upon friends. Like Gideon's immortal 
three hundred in the presence of invading hosts, dash 
their pitchers, uncover their masked lights, lift up the 
voice together, and herald the on-coming, conquering 
forces of Heaven. Let her thus become a mighty con- 
solidation of union and strength, that she may "name 
her walls salvation and her gates praise." 

Our families must be intrenched and fortified with 
the truth of God. The youth of our land be more 
generally gathered and vigorously trained in our Sab- 
bath-schools. Let the Christian press no longer cater 
to ignorance, indolence, and effeminacy; address the 
reason and conscience more, imagination and self-com- 
placency less. 

We arm ourselves with moonbeams for this war in 
vain. Human nature will not succumb to, or be im- 
proved by such appliances. 



21 

See how men drive their earthly schemes! How 
energetic and tireless ! How lavish we are of men and 
treasures for the army! Shall we, then, make no in- 
vestment for the skies, and beyond the fires of the great 
burning day? Shall we not fight the good fight of 
faith in hope of victor palms and crowns above"? 

We wisely, nobly purpose to defend and extend civil 
freedom by braving the turmoil, smoke, and carnage of 
war. Shall we not also defend and extend morality 
and religion at any needful sacrifice of treasure and 
life, in joyful anticipation of a heavenly inheritance, — 
a crown of life that fadeth not away 1 

How prodigal in civil war ! How parsimonious in 
the battles of the Lord! We build and embellish the 
sepulchres of the dead, and disregard the cry of the 
living, " No man cares for my soul !" 

Oh, had we, in times past, fought as we should the 
battles of peace, we should have been spared this sea 
of blood ! More of God's truth at home, with less of 
lies ; more of God's truth at the South, with less of 
crimination, hatred, and withdrawment of sympathy 
and aid, would have held us back from this fratricidal 
strife. 

Had we deemed the South, from whence has come 
this whirlwind, a field white for spiritual harvests, as 
well as a market for our manufactures, we should have 
made less bad debts, and better investments for heaven. 

The days of compromise with our foes have long- 
since passed. Let us now annul our covenant with 



22 

death, our agreement with hell, and side with God and 
holiness. Our present trials, perils, and necessities 
persuade us to do this. Our day of fasting, humilia- 
tion, and prayer, like the trump of God, summons us 
to this. Hope of help from trouble demands this. 

" Let us be of good courage, and let us behave our- 
selves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our 
God, and let the Lord do that which is good in his 
sight." 

Such, in part, is the duty implied by our National 
fast. As we are sincere and earnest in the one, we 
shall be faithful and zealous in the other. God is both 
witness and judge. Amen. 



LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 



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